LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans is celebrating Earth Day with free Dump Day events throughout California on Saturday, April 23 — including three in District 1.

Caltrans welcomes you to bring nonhazardous, unwanted items to the nearest Dump Day event for free disposal.

The statewide Dump Day events are made possible through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Clean California initiative, a sweeping $1.1 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to keep roads and waterways free of litter, create thousands of jobs and transform state and local public spaces through beautification efforts.

"The best way to keep California clean is not to trash it in the first place,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. “Clean California’s goal is to make sure trash never reaches our roadsides or waterways. These Dump Day events discourage illegal dumping along highways and roads by giving people throughout the state a convenient place to dispose of bulky items safely, properly, and at no cost.”

Caltrans will have staff on-site to accept approved debris free of charge. Dump Day events will take place at the following locations in Lake and Mendocino counties:

• Ukiah Railroad Depot Lot, accepting tires only, 237 E. Perkins, Entrance on East Clay Street off Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until capacity is reached at the site.

• C & S Waste Transfer Station, accepting tires, mattresses and furniture only, 230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until capacity is reached at the site.

• SLRR Recycling Center, accepting tires, mattresses and furniture only, 16015 Davis St., Clearlake from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until capacity is reached at the site.

Free Dump Day collection is limited to the household items listed above. No construction materials, business waste, hazardous waste, e-waste, treated wood waste, or asbestos of any type will be accepted.

Caltrans reminds motorists to properly secure and tarp all cargo loads prior to driving. Transporting unsecured loads is unsafe, illegal, and pollutes California's roads and waterways. Loads that are not tied down, enclosed, or secured by tarps or other means, will not be accepted.

Tips for securing your load:

• Completely cover loads with tarps or cargo nets. Debris can escape from gaps.
• Remove loose material and trash before driving.
• Don't overload — keep materials level with your truck bed.
• Put light items lower, tie large items to the vehicle for traffic safety.

Caltrans has hosted 72 free Dump Day events since July and collected more than 18,000 cubic yards (more than 300 tons) of trash. Items collected include 7,719 tires, 1,973 mattresses, 804 appliances (including 295 refrigerators), and a hot tub.

Since launching Clean California in July, Caltrans has removed more than 536,000 cubic yards of litter from state highways — the equivalent of 9,000 tons or enough to fill 164 Olympic-size swimming pools — and hired 678 new team members as part of Clean California, including 526 maintenance workers who collect litter and remove graffiti.

For more information, visit https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/.